Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Posted

Beer-drinking, wearing green and having a good time are far removed from the feast day originally started centuries ago to honor St. Patrick, the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. He is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland, though he described himself as a “most humble-minded man, pouring forth a continuous paean of thanks to his Maker for having chosen him as the instrument whereby multitudes who had worshiped idols and unclean things had become the people of God.” The Shamrock became the national flower of Ireland, according to legend, because Patrick used it to explain the Holy Trinity to the people he encountered. It is believed St. Patrick was born in the late 4th century, and he is often confused with Palladius, a bishop who was sent by Pope Celestine in 431 to be the first bishop to the Irish believers in Christ.